John Benson was brought to the club by Bruce, but his is a general manager's role.

He eases the administrative burden on Bruce, advises him, scouts and acts as a link between the various playing and training ground matters and the St Andrew's staff and directors.

Bruce's decision to axe Bowen caused a stir -neither man will go into any detail why the former Wales number two was booted out - and some have claimed that his departure and Black's arrival has had much do with Blues' inconsistency this season.

Bruce won't hear any of it and he was angered by Robbie Savage's slight on Black after his transfer to Blackburn Rovers.

Savage said that he was "enjoying'' his training again and there was a more professional set-up at Ewood Park - where Bowen is assistant to Mark Hughes.

"People don't remember who was here for the last eight games of last season, when we didn't win any of them," Bruce said.

"For me, Eric has took to the task magnificently. He's an excellent coach and well respected by anyone who comes across him.

"I know for a fact that he had a couple of job offers since joining us to go on his own but he point-blank refused them because he wanted to stay here and be a part of things - and I was delighted about that.

"I've heard all the whispers and what Savage has been saying. Some of the stuff he has come out with has hurt Eric.

"Make no mistake, Eric has had a big impact on us and some of this stuff is blown out of proportion.

"Yes, our season so far hasn't been what we would have liked it to have been, but I'm convinced had we not got those injuries to key players and so many disruptions, we'd be eight to 10 points better off than we are now at least."